Timely Tips for June
Tip of the Month
June is probably the most difficult period for many plants because of the long days, high temperatures, and low humidity. Ineffective water management is the number one cause of death of landscape plants in the Valley, and, believe it or not, it is more frequently from over watering than under watering. You can reduce your water bill and take better care of your plants it you water slowly (prevents run off), deeply (use a soil probe or a long handled screwdriver to check that the water is penetrating 2-3 ft. deep for trees and shrubs, and 1- 1 1/2 ft. deep for turf & flowers), and infrequently (Let the soil dry between watering).
Climate Information for June in Phoenix, Arizona
Rainfall:
- Average: 0.1 inches
- Record: 1.7 inches (1972)
Temperature (degrees F):
- Average High: 103.5 degrees
- Lowest High: 68 degrees (1899)
- Record High: 122 degrees (1990)
- Average Low: 72.9 degrees
- Lowest High: 93 degrees (1990)
- Record Low: 49 degrees (1908)
Note: Rainfall and temperatures vary widely within the valley depending upon elevation and microclimate.
Turf
- Plant Bermuda lawns during the active growing season, May through August
- Fertilize Bermuda grass lawns with Nitrogen each month beginning late April or early May according to the directions on the fertilizer package
- Appy Iron once a month according to the directions on the fertilizer package
- Apply one inch of water per week to Bermuda lawns
- Once every two or three years dethatch Bermuda lawns if necessary. Only dethatch during the active growing season, May through August. This enables the turf to quickly recover.
Roses
- Cut back on fertilizing established roses to encourage plants to slow down for the hot summer
- Water deeply as temperatures climb
- Hose off plants in the early morning to increase humidity and control spider mites
Landscape Plants
- Increase water application as the weather warms. June is the driest month. Pay attention to irrigation needs of plants. Apply mulch to the ground around heat sensitive plants keep the roots cooler and prevent evaporation.
- Apply chelated iron to bottle brush, pyracantha, silk oak, and other plants with iron deficiency symptoms.
- Prune palms when flower spathes show or delay pruning until after the palm has finished flowering to prevent infestation of Palm Flower caterpillars. If palms are pruned in the spring, leave the top five rows of peels so the caterpillars have a place to hide.
- Cut off spent blooms to stimulate rebloom
- Native and imported heat tolerant plants can be planted right through the summer months. They will need to be watered on a regular basis until fall.
- Transplant palms in the heat of the summer for best results.
- If you have previously had a problem, apply around the base of Agaves a pesticide labeled for use on grubs in order to kill the grubs of the Agave Weevil.